The Artist Formerly Known as Robby Anderson is changing his name again. It’s not Robbie anymore. It’s “Chosen” Anderson now. Whether anybody will care remains to be seen.
Other athletes have switched to “look at me” names, but typically such moves are made by high-level performers. When Chad Johnson switched to Chad Ochocinco, it was after five consecutive seasons over 1,200 receiving yards. When the NBA’s Lloyd Free changed to World B. Free in the early ‘80s, it was after averaging over 24 points three seasons in a row. Marvin Hagler held multiple middle titles when he legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
With Anderson, he’s high on confidence, but there hasn’t been much production recently. He signed two nice contracts with the Panthers (a pair of two-year deals totaling almost $50 million), but they soured on him last year, dishing him off to Arizona for a pair of late-round picks – GM Steve Keim’s last really bad move before getting fired. Anderson made no impact in his half season with the Cardinals, hardly playing in some games.
There’s a certain lack of awareness, therefore, that Anderson thinks now is the time to rebrand as Chosen Anderson. You would think he would more humbling be working on his game, recognizing that he’s not going to stick around much longer unless he can convince Arizona’s new coaching staff that he be one of their three main receivers. He’s got a base salary of $8.8 million, and he wasn’t worth that much last year.
The Cardinals may be looking to unload DeAndre Hopkins. That would help Anderson’s chances of maybe getting his career restarted.
Over the past two years, 79 wide receivers have seen at least 100 targets. Anderson is the only one of that group that’s caught fewer than half of the passes thrown his way. And he’s averaged only 5.2 yards per pass plays, almost a yard less than anyone else in that group.
As it stands right now, “Chosen” doesn’t look likely to be chosen in fantasy drafts for 2023.
| CATCH PERCENTAGE (last 2 yrs) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD | Pct | Avg/Tgt |
| Rondale Moore, Ariz. | 120 | 95 | 849 | 2 | 79.2% | 7.1 |
| Hunter Renfrow, L.V. | 178 | 139 | 1368 | 11 | 78.1% | 7.7 |
| Kendrick Bourne, N.E. | 118 | 90 | 1234 | 6 | 76.3% | 10.5 |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 289 | 220 | 2759 | 22 | 76.1% | 9.5 |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 269 | 202 | 2126 | 8 | 75.1% | 7.9 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 265 | 196 | 2073 | 11 | 74.0% | 7.8 |
| Cole Beasley, 2tms | 119 | 88 | 728 | 1 | 73.9% | 6.1 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, 2tms | 129 | 93 | 1062 | 3 | 72.1% | 8.2 |
| Mecole Hardman, K.C. | 117 | 84 | 990 | 6 | 71.8% | 8.5 |
| Russell Gage, 2tms | 164 | 117 | 1196 | 9 | 71.3% | 7.3 |
| Tyler Boyd, Cin. | 176 | 125 | 1590 | 10 | 71.0% | 9.0 |
| Kalif Raymond, Det. | 135 | 95 | 1192 | 4 | 70.4% | 8.8 |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 224 | 157 | 2208 | 17 | 70.1% | 9.9 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 246 | 172 | 1890 | 10 | 69.9% | 7.7 |
| Tyreek Hill, 2tms | 329 | 230 | 2949 | 16 | 69.9% | 9.0 |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 257 | 179 | 2371 | 14 | 69.6% | 9.2 |
| Curtis Samuel, Was. | 101 | 70 | 683 | 4 | 69.3% | 6.8 |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 270 | 187 | 2007 | 10 | 69.3% | 7.4 |
| Christian Kirk, 2tms | 236 | 161 | 2090 | 13 | 68.2% | 8.9 |
| Laviska Shenault, 2tms | 132 | 90 | 891 | 1 | 68.2% | 6.8 |
| Adam Thielen, Min. | 202 | 137 | 1442 | 16 | 67.8% | 7.1 |
| Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 198 | 134 | 1841 | 13 | 67.7% | 9.3 |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 219 | 148 | 2120 | 13 | 67.6% | 9.7 |
| Jakobi Meyers, N.E. | 222 | 150 | 1670 | 8 | 67.6% | 7.5 |
| Zay Jones, 2tms | 191 | 129 | 1369 | 6 | 67.5% | 7.2 |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 276 | 186 | 2461 | 15 | 67.4% | 8.9 |
| Jerry Jeudy, Den. | 156 | 105 | 1439 | 6 | 67.3% | 9.2 |
| Josh Palmer, LAC | 156 | 105 | 1122 | 7 | 67.3% | 7.2 |
| Quez Watkins, Phil. | 113 | 76 | 1001 | 4 | 67.3% | 8.9 |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 351 | 236 | 3425 | 18 | 67.2% | 9.8 |
| Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 318 | 211 | 2654 | 21 | 66.4% | 8.3 |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 240 | 159 | 2112 | 12 | 66.3% | 8.8 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Ariz. | 160 | 106 | 1289 | 11 | 66.3% | 8.1 |
| Parris Campbell, Ind. | 111 | 73 | 785 | 4 | 65.8% | 7.1 |
| Brandin Cooks, Hou. | 227 | 147 | 1736 | 9 | 64.8% | 7.6 |
| DeAndre Carter, 2tms | 109 | 70 | 834 | 6 | 64.2% | 7.7 |
| JaMarr Chase, Cin. | 262 | 168 | 2501 | 22 | 64.1% | 9.5 |
| K.J. Osborn, Min. | 172 | 110 | 1305 | 12 | 64.0% | 7.6 |
| Davante Adams, 2tms | 349 | 223 | 3069 | 25 | 63.9% | 8.8 |
| Demarcus Robinson, 2tms | 116 | 73 | 722 | 5 | 62.9% | 6.2 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 241 | 151 | 2159 | 20 | 62.7% | 9.0 |
| Mike Williams, LAC | 222 | 139 | 2041 | 13 | 62.6% | 9.2 |
| Allen Lazard, G.B. | 160 | 100 | 1301 | 14 | 62.5% | 8.1 |
| Marquise Brown, 2tms | 253 | 158 | 1717 | 9 | 62.5% | 6.8 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus, Atl. | 114 | 71 | 939 | 6 | 62.3% | 8.2 |
| Josh Reynolds, 2tms | 108 | 67 | 875 | 5 | 62.0% | 8.1 |
| Amari Cooper, 2tms | 236 | 146 | 2025 | 17 | 61.9% | 8.6 |
| Deebo Samuel, S.F. | 215 | 133 | 2037 | 8 | 61.9% | 9.5 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cle. | 154 | 95 | 1436 | 6 | 61.7% | 9.3 |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 250 | 154 | 2244 | 10 | 61.6% | 9.0 |
| Drake London, Atl. | 117 | 72 | 866 | 4 | 61.5% | 7.4 |
| Robert Woods, 2tms | 160 | 98 | 1083 | 6 | 61.3% | 6.8 |
| DK Metcalf, Sea. | 270 | 165 | 2015 | 18 | 61.1% | 7.5 |
| Jarvis Landry, 2tms | 126 | 77 | 842 | 3 | 61.1% | 6.7 |
| Diontae Johnson, Pitt. | 316 | 193 | 2043 | 8 | 61.1% | 6.5 |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 119 | 72 | 1042 | 4 | 60.5% | 8.8 |
| A.J. Brown, 2tms | 250 | 151 | 2365 | 16 | 60.4% | 9.5 |
| Darnell Mooney, Chi. | 201 | 121 | 1548 | 6 | 60.2% | 7.7 |
| Allen Robinson, 2tms | 118 | 71 | 749 | 4 | 60.2% | 6.3 |
| Marvin Jones, Jac. | 201 | 119 | 1361 | 7 | 59.2% | 6.8 |
| DeVante Parker, 2tms | 120 | 71 | 1054 | 5 | 59.2% | 8.8 |
| Courtland Sutton, Den. | 207 | 122 | 1605 | 4 | 58.9% | 7.8 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ten. | 107 | 63 | 873 | 7 | 58.9% | 8.2 |
| Mack Hollins, 2tms | 122 | 71 | 913 | 8 | 58.2% | 7.5 |
| Nelson Agholor, N.E. | 117 | 68 | 835 | 5 | 58.1% | 7.1 |
| Chase Claypool, 2tms | 184 | 105 | 1311 | 3 | 57.1% | 7.1 |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 147 | 83 | 1103 | 4 | 56.5% | 7.5 |
| Elijah Moore, NYJ | 142 | 80 | 984 | 6 | 56.3% | 6.9 |
| A.J. Green, Ariz. | 139 | 78 | 1084 | 5 | 56.1% | 7.8 |
| Darius Slayton, NYG | 129 | 72 | 1063 | 4 | 55.8% | 8.2 |
| Van Jefferson, LAR | 133 | 74 | 1171 | 9 | 55.6% | 8.8 |
| DJ Moore, Car. | 281 | 156 | 2045 | 11 | 55.5% | 7.3 |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 127 | 70 | 927 | 3 | 55.1% | 7.3 |
| Michael Gallup, Dall. | 136 | 74 | 869 | 6 | 54.4% | 6.4 |
| Corey Davis, NYJ | 123 | 66 | 1028 | 6 | 53.7% | 8.4 |
| Marquez Callaway, N.O. | 116 | 62 | 856 | 7 | 53.4% | 7.4 |
| Gabe Davis, Buff. | 156 | 83 | 1385 | 13 | 53.2% | 8.9 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 2tms | 136 | 68 | 1117 | 5 | 50.0% | 8.2 |
| Robbie Anderson, 2tms | 154 | 70 | 801 | 6 | 45.5% | 5.2 |
—Ian Allan